This is an obvious truth, and the cauſe not lying deep, will not elude a ſlight glance of inquiry.
Love, the common paſſion, in which chance and ſenſation take place of choice and reaſon, is, in ſome degree, felt by the maſs of mankind; for it is not neceſſary to ſpeak, at preſent, of the emotions that riſe above or ſink below love. This paſſion, naturally increaſed by ſuſpenſe and difficulties, draws the mind out of its accuſtomed ſtate, and exalts the affections; but the ſecurity of marriage, allowing the fever of love to ſubſide, a healthy temperature is thought inſipid, only by thoſe who have not ſufficient intellect to ſubſtitute the calm tenderneſs of friendſhip, the confidence of reſpect, inſtead of blind admiration, and the ſenſual emotions of fondneſs.
This is, muſt be, the courſe of nature:—friendſhip or indifference inevitably ſucceeds love.—And this conſtitution ſeems perfectly to harmonize with the ſyſtem of government which prevails in the moral world. Paſſions are ſpurs to action, and open the mind; but they ſink into mere appetites, become a perſonal and momentary gratification, when the object is gained, and the ſatisfied mind reſts in enjoyment. The man who had ſome virtue whilſt he was ſtruggling for a crown, often becomes a voluptuous tyrant when it graces his brow; and, when the lover is not loſt in the huſband, the dotard, a prey to childiſh caprices, and fond jealouſies, neglects the ſerious duties of life, and the careſſes which ſhould excite confidence in his children are laviſhed on the overgrown child, his wife.
